Dixie Mader

"Nothing gold can stay", a quote from a Robert Frost poem is what comes to mind when thinking about the passing of Dixie Mader. She was, indeed, a gold person who touched many lives. Dixie Mader, age 73, passed away on September 1, 2014, at her home after succumbing to cancer, surrounded by her family, friends, and cat. It's hard not to smile or laugh when thinking of Dixie, especially when she was so full of spunk and life. She was born on November 28, 1940, at Nowata, Oklahoma, the daughter of William and Esther VanWinkle. Her family eventually left Oklahoma to live in Bush City, Kansas, at the family farm. The youngest of five children, she admitted that she followed her older siblings and frequently got in trouble, which is no surprise because Dixie carried that ornery streak for the rest of her life. Dixie married Kenneth Mader on November 30, 1963. They lived in Kansas City and Castle Rock, Colorado, before finally settling in Garnett, Kansas, to raise their daughter, Ashley. In 2002, Dixie moved to Bush City, Kansas, to live in the house where she was raised. To know Dixie was to love her. She enjoyed the simple things in life, like watching the sunrise over coffee or reading a good mystery novel. Dixie had an extreme love for animals, whether it was her own house cats or the opossum outside, she loved them all. Her daughter was her pride and joy, and one of Dixie's biggest accomplishments was when her daughter earned her PhD. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kenneth Mader; and brother William "Bunk" VanWinkle. Dixie is survived by her daughter, Ashley Mader of Northampton, MA; sisters Patricia Kabonic of Frontenac, KS; Darla Kerr of Wichita, KS; and Delores "Tubby" Phillips of Frontenac, KS. Family and friends would like to give a special thanks to the nurses and staff at Crossroads Hospice for all the kindness, support, and loving care during this journey. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, September 5, 2014, at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel, Garnett. Burial will follow in the Holy Angels Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 7:00-8:00 PM, Thursday evening at the funeral home. Because of Dixie's love for all things four-legged, donations will be made to the Humane Society of the United States and may be sent in care of the funeral home.